eSolar Unveils 5MW Sierra Solar Thermal Power Plant - First of its kind

[Ashok Das]

http://www.solarbuzz.com/news/NewsNAPR1603.htm

August 5, 2009

Lancaster, CA, USA: eSolar Unveils 5MW Sierra Solar Thermal Power Plant

With 24,000 mirrors glimmering under the Antelope Valley summer sun, eSolar, a leading provider of modular, scalable solar thermal power technology, today unveiled its 5-megawatt Sierra SunTower solar power plant.

The full-scale power plant, the only power tower of its kind in the U.S., produces electricity for Southern California Edison (SCE) and can power more than 4,000 homes in California's Antelope Valley.

eSolar says its technology resolves many of the problems that have held back large scale solar in the past including cost, speed of deployment and proximity to existing transmission lines. eSolar uses advanced software algorithms to precisely focus thousands of mirrors on a single point to efficiently harvest the sun's energy and achieve economies of scale with a smaller footprint than anyone else in the business.

"Today, we unveil a new blueprint for solar energy — one that leverages Moore's law rather than more steel," said Bill Gross, CEO of eSolar. "Sierra is just the beginning. Soon eSolar technology will be deployed worldwide to provide clean, affordable energy to hundreds of thousands of homes."

Constructed in less than one year, eSolar's Sierra SunTower power plant marks the first of several developments in the Antelope Valley region using eSolar technology. Over the course of construction, this project created 300 jobs.

"With today's historic plant opening, eSolar is proving that California's energy and environmental leadership are advancing carbon-free, cost-effective energy that can be used around the world," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Through measures such as AB 32 and the California Solar Initiative, I have worked to create an environment that allows companies such as eSolar to thrive in our state — creating green jobs, boosting our economy and preparing us for the energy demands of the future."

eSolar received the support and cooperation of the City of Lancaster throughout the construction process.

"The City of Lancaster is proud to be home to the nation's newest solar power tower plant. This plant and eSolar's progressive growth plans throughout the Antelope Valley are the crown jewels in our ongoing effort to truly become the Alternative Energy Capital of the World," said R. Rex Parris, Mayor of Lancaster.

eSolar develops its California projects on parcels of previously disturbed private lands, avoiding many of the permitting and environmental pitfalls of development on pristine desert lands. Located in northern Lancaster, Sierra SunTower is built on private land designated for heavy industrial use. The decision to site projects solely on private land is unique within the utility-scale solar industry, and the distinction has garnered support from local environmental advocates.

"eSolar demonstrates that pristine wildlands do not have to be sacrificed in order to keep the lights on with clean energy," remarked David Myers, Executive Director of the Wildlands Conservancy. "eSolar's efforts to reduce its impact on the surrounding environment demonstrates a level of foresight we hope to see from other solar developers in the future."

Sierra SunTower was fully financed and developed by eSolar, proving the rapid deployment, pre-fabricated method eSolar patented and pioneered. Building on Sierra's success, eSolar will deploy many more plants around the country and around the world. In February, eSolar announced an agreement with NRG Energy, Inc. to develop three plants in California and New Mexico that will generate up to 465 megawatts of electricity using eSolar technology. Additionally, in March, eSolar licensed its technology to India-based ACME Group for approximately 1 gigawatt of eSolar solar thermal capacity.

"Today we take an important step to a new dawn of power generation," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy. "With eSolar demonstrating the commercial viability of solar thermal power on a large scale, and with NRG planning to implement the technology at scale across the Southwest, we will begin to harness the sun to power our lives."

[karan kanodia]

can anyone explain to me the benefits of this technology over other CSP technologies?
 
thanks,
Karan 

---

Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:11:57 +0530
Subject: [Green-India] eSolar Unveils 5MW Sierra Solar Thermal Power Plant - First of its kind
From: asho...@gmail.com
To: tie-cleantec...@googlegroups.com; green...@googlegroups.com

[Ashok Das]

Karan,

This is the first Solar Tower based thermal power plant in the world that is of this small size - 5MW. Most solar tower plants are much larger in scope and could not be scaled down. eSolar, a start-up, has brought the scale down and made it modular. Please check the company website on the advantages..
http://www.esolar.com/advantage.html
http://www.esolar.com/solution.html

For more information on the various technologies (Solar Tower, Parabolic Trough, Fresnel Mirrors, Parabolic Dish) and comparison, please download the July 2007 issue of Green Energy from WISE's website...http://www.wisein.org/wise-green-energy-magazine-archive.asp. It has a very nice article by GM Pillai who has studies solar thermal power plants world over. Recently Greenpeace did a fantastic report on CSP - concentrating solar power - read it at
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/concentrating-solar-power-2009.

For a ready reference, attached find highlights from these two reports that I prepared for my business plan.

Ashok

[SOLAR SARMA]

Dear All,

Off late, it is very interesting to observe that lot of noise in CSP,
CPV, etc in solar energy field and the fact is that as on date not
even one project has a financial closure in India and its very nice to
hear that something is happening in USA and so on.

Can anybody let know and show where and when such power plants will be
installed in India and are these companies technologies have any
practical problems in managing heat, to get money for such projects,
to get place for such projects,etc.

Unless and until some concrete evidence is shown on proven performance
of such technologies, its very difficult to convince clients with the
help of hi-fy presentations,etc.

If E-solar has presented a proposal to Haryana Government in Dec'2008,
why is it taking so much time to get this project going on? Any
problems from Haryana Government or MNRE or E Solar? Are there any
obstacles from existing solar PV players as they have huge capacity
build up.

Let us express our views and opinions in this forum on free and frank basis.

Looking forward for convincing response.

Regards,
N.M.K.D.Sarma Ambatipudi
(Also known as SOLARSARMA)
Mobile:+919246475056
Skype ID:solarsarma

[Ashok Das]

Solar thermal has not gained momentum for a while worldwide - due to its scale and cost - it is now picking up. Start-ups like eSolar, Ausra, are funded to being the technology to commercial viability. For India, there are several efforts in place. To be fair and frank, the situation is same for PV - how many large PV plants have come up in India? With more incentives that make sense, things will change. Please see this recent article from the cleantech group - ACME bringing eSolar technology to India.

http://cleantech.com/news/4823/acme-plans-beat-esolar-cost-solar-t
Acme plans to beat eSolar on cost of solar thermal in India
August 10, 2009 - Cleantech Group best of the web pick

We must realize that we are in a transition phase - lot of technologies under development and trials. So, we need to be patient and adapt new technologies as they become commercially viable.

Ashok

[SOLAR SARMA]

I am very glad to share with you all that first MW solar photo voltaic
power plant is commissioned and following is some info which I know
through my sources..

• 2MW solar photo voltaic power plant is under commissioning stage at
Sagar Islands in West Bengal and one 250kW string is on for testing
purpose.

• 3MW solar photo voltaic power plant is under installation stage at
Chikodi, Belgaum District in Karnataka and may get commissioned by
March'10

• 1MW solar photo voltaic power plant is under installation stage at
Chandrapur in Maharashtra

New technological breakthroughs are most welcome but it should not be
on paper and publicity for a long time as many investors/customers who
want to put up such power plants have been loosing patience since
there is no clarity when these technologies will be commercially
available in India. It is often found in film industry also for some
big ticket movies lots of publicity will be given before release but
they often fail at box office for various reasons. Looking forward for
quick CPV, CSP technologies getting implemented in India and if any
pressure/problems are created by bigwigs/corporates to delay the
launch of such technologies as they have heavily invested in solar PV
technology, etc; please do let us know so as we know how to break such
cartels. It is very shameful to share such one issue which is pending
in Telecom industry, i.e. Unified Number for all Mobile Users is just
pending for implementation due to corporate lobbies working in tandem
with Min. of Communications.....

So my dear green energy conscious professionals of this forum, please
be vigilant and share max. information you know so as to find any such
delays in launching much advanced technologies in India. We as Indians
must be smart unlike in olden days and demand the best from technology
companies the best and the latest but not like what was launched in
USA/Japan 10years back coming to India now and so on....

Best Regards,

N.M.K.D.Sarma Ambatipudi
(Also known as SOLAR SARMA)
Mobile: +919246475056
Skype ID: solarsarma

[Senjalia D M]

Dear Manu,

 

It will be appeciated if all authors confine their expression in the vicinity of scope of Group Domain.

 

Less we write on unessential matters, Less we Tax on mind space and energy of our members.

 

Pl treat this as an important  suggestion, if not a complain.

 

Regards,

 

D M Senjalia,

CLIQUE.

[SOLAR SARMA]

Dear Mr.Ashok,

Why are you getting so offended if you are really pro PV and Thermal?
What I have highlighted are facts and Clique Technologies is into
Solar Thermal Power Solutions and since it may hurt them, their
prospective customers, Mr.Sanjalia has written very diplomatically. In
fact I am also not against Solar Thermal Technologies.

Whatever I have expressed are expressed by a customer who is
representing a Rs.3000 Crore Group in India and he has been traveling
to many places in India and USA to attend various programmes and
watching esolar, Acme, etc so interestingly for implementing a power
project having seen advantages in solar thermal, solar CPV
technologies in their power point presentations but after spending so
much time by spending good amount of money, they are very much
confused.

If you don't believe me I can personally take you to this client and
if I have to put the words in clients words "YE SAB DIKHAWA HI YA KUCH
ROSHNI BHI HI?" on such technologies. After speaking to him and to
many more such customers, you and members of this group who may feel
my views very harsh can see the other side of this story also.

Looking forward for your +ve response.

Best Regards,
N.M.K.D.Sarma Ambatipudi

(Also known as SOLARSARMA)
Mobile: +919246475056
Skype ID: solarsarma

On 8/14/09, Ashok Das <asho...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Mr. Solar Sharma,
>
> Let's stop it right here. If you have specific questions, we can discuss in
> person. For your information, I am not against PV. I do both PV and Thermal
> solutions - whatever the best for the customer:-). Cheers.
>
> Manu, I agree with Sanjalia. Please close this topic.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Ashok

[Senjalia D M]

Dear Fellow Members,

 

I believe , Green India is a group of Professionals who have Greener India at their heart.

 

Members of this platform spans from Ordinary Information Seekers to Creative Intellectual Professionals / Passive Readers to Active Authors / Individuals to Business Groups

 

Let us refrain from differentiating them based on which route they practice to contribute to Greener India - be it by Efficient Architectural Planning & Engineering / Energy Conservation / Simplified Life Style / Bio / Wind / Solar PV / Solar Thermal .......or.... any....... other way of sincere / intellectual efforts.

 

Most of us are creative professionals with very little time to waste on trivial discussions unlike few irritants who take pride in defying engineering principals , talking laud ( just talking only ) to prevent corruption and pretending to fight political nexus.

 

We have very little time to waste and I make humble appeal to Manu to put his foot down to discipline irritating time wasters operating from this platform.

 

By the way, while on the topic, I need not shy to accept that I am from Solar Thermal Technology Group as my company has invested a decade of hard work to develop world class Soalar Thermal Concentrator Technology which is on the ground and it can compete with any technology world over.

 

Thanks & Regards

 

D M Senjalia,

Director,
Clique Developments Limited,
134 AB, First Floor,
Government Industrial  Estate,
Charkop, Kandivli ( West ),
MUMBAI, INDIA , PIN  400  067,
Ph. 91-22-2860 9011. Fax 91-22-2860 9734
Cell : 91 - 98 675 11  245 / 91 93 243 20 747

Email : d...@cliquetechnologies.com  ,
web : http://clique.in/

 

----- Original Message -----

From: "SOLAR SARMA" <solar...@gmail.com>

[SOLAR SARMA]

Dear Mr.Sanjalia,

With due respect to your decade long experience, I hereby state very
clearly that I am not against your company or technology but only
would like to make it very clear that there is an enormous delay in
launching solar thermal power technologies and just because it doesn't
taste you or some, we can't ignore the facts.

ICICI funded solar thermal steam generation project to support
Suryodaya Hitech Engineering,Hyderabad is in doldrums and where this
money has gone?

You may feel this as wasting time and please be also very clear that
lot of investors who are interested in setting up solar power plants
are also in this forum and they will unearth the truth. Time and again
my view is very clear that any technology should not take too much
time for getting commercialised and if not such professionals should
make bold statements only at a time when such technologies can be
commercially deployed.

Please let know when you can launch solar thermal power technology in
India commercially and I will be the first person to get you to get
first 5 projects and I am sharing this very honestly.

Best Wishes,

N.M.K.D.Sarma Ambatipudi
(Also known as SOLAR SARMA)
Mobile: +919246475056

[Manu Sharma]

On Fri, Aug 14, 2009 at 6:53 PM, Senjalia D M <d...@cliquetechnologies.com> wrote:

 

We have very little time to waste and I make humble appeal to Manu to put his foot down to discipline irritating time wasters operating from this platform.

Dear Mr. Senjalia and fellow members,

This member has been put on moderation for disrespecting another member. However, please note that we will not disallow disagreements. Every commenter on the group is allowed to voice their opinion or cite facts. The members on the list are intelligent and can make up their own mind about a certain argument.   

Green-India has an explicit and well-defined policy with regards to moderation and I will take appropriate action when required. This policy is not open for discussion and moderation issues will not be discussed publicly. 

If a member feels any of the guidelines is not being adhered, please bring it to my attention by writing to be directly. 

Thanks,

Manu

Convener / Moderator

Green-India

[Sandeep Shriya]

Hello all.

 

There are 4 main technologies in Concentrated Solar Power- Parabolic Trough, Fresnel, Solar Tower & Stirling Dish.

 

Can anyone guide me on the relative pros & cons of each of these technologies, especially in the Indian context?

 

 

Thanks,

Sandeep Shriya

Mobile: (+91) 9833005253

 

P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

[soumyabrata rahut]

hi sandeep
the choice of these technologies are dependant on the scale cost and temperature that the application requires.
for an overview check out the following site
http://www.abengoasolar.com/sites/solar/en/technologies/concentrated_solar_power/what_is_it/

abengoa is probably the largest csp company.

warm regards
somo

2009/8/15 Sandeep Shriya <s...@shriya.co.in>

--
Soumyabrata Rahut
Consultant
Energy Efficiency
(Prayas Energy Group)

[Justin]

sandeep -

couple specific points to add...

parabolic trough:
advantages:
* well developed and mature technology
* long operating history
* equal to power tower / central receiver in price
disadvantages:
* least cost reduction potential
* lower heat generated (b/c of lower concentrations)
* limited in size which can be deployed, due to pumping losses in
massive field

power tower / central receiver:
advantages:
* roughly same cost as trough today, with more potential for cost
reduction
* higher temps can be achieved, allowing for more efficient turbine
operation and storage
* also in commercial scale development, but only a few plants
operating
* smaller land requirement than trough
disadvantages:
* little operating history
* doesn't work well in some climates (especially when dusty)

fresnel:
advantages:
* smallest footprint of commercial scale technologies
* supposedly could be cheapest of all technologies (however, this is
unproven)
disadvantages:
* almost no operating history
* only very small plants to date
* can't be paired with storage

dish stirling:
advantages:
* modular - can set up very small systems
disadvantages:
* very expensive today
* high maintenance costs - engines are not reliable enough for
deployment
* technology still in testing phase

all these technologies require water for mirror cleaning and steam
creation. all also require direct sunlight (as opposed to some PV
technologies which can use diffuse insolation). all have major land
requirements for large scale generation.

hope this is helpful.

Justin

On Aug 18, 3:49 am, soumyabrata rahut <soumyabrata.ra...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> hi sandeep
> the choice of these technologies are dependant on the scale cost and
> temperature that the application requires.

> for an overview check out the following sitehttp://www.abengoasolar.com/sites/solar/en/technologies/concentrated_...

>
> abengoa is probably the largest csp company.
>
> warm regards
> somo
>
> 2009/8/15 Sandeep Shriya <s...@shriya.co.in>
>
>
>
>
>
> >  Hello all.
>
> > There are 4 main technologies in Concentrated Solar Power- Parabolic
> > Trough, Fresnel, Solar Tower & Stirling Dish.
>
> > Can anyone guide me on the relative pros & cons of each of these
> > technologies, especially in the Indian context?
>

> > *Thanks,*
>
> > *Sandeep Shriya*
>
> > *Mobile: (+91) 9833005253*
>
> > P* Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.*

[Manu Sharma]

Justin,

Thanks for this. A quick question though -- why do you say that Fresnel (I believe, Sandeep is referring to CLFR technology developed by Ausra) can't be paired with storage?    

Thanks,

Manu

[Sandeep Shriya]

Yes, Fresnel is CLFR, being pursued by Ausra amongst others.

 

Even I wonder why no storage with Fresnel.

 

Thanks,

Sandeep Shriya

Mobile: (+91) 9833005253

 

P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

[Ashok Das]

Actually, Ausra's main claim to fame is storage - I recall Vinod Khosla's speech strongly emphasizing that part! Please see this link http://www.ausra.com/technology/howitworks.html.

Ashok Das
+91-99801-43952

[Manu Sharma]

Dear Sandeep,

The term "Fresnel" is used primarily for a lens but broadly, any optical device that concentrates light. So it can be applied to all concentrator designs you cited above (except solar tower). 

What Ausra has done, primarily is to develop a compact and least cost concentrator reflector technology called Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector or CLFR. This technology has been demonstrated and the first fully functional 5MW pilot plant went into online in October last year.

No other company has deployed CLFR as it's a proprietary technology developed by Ausra. A 177 MW plant by the company is scheduled to come up next year.

Thermal storage, as Ashok said, is also a part of their design (though not their claim to fame). There are several other innovations involved. 

Thanks,

Manu   

On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 8:20 PM, Sandeep Shriya <s...@shriya.co.in> wrote:

[Justin]

Hi all -

Apologies for taking so long to respond.

Manu/Sandeep, thank you for following up on CFLR / storage. You are
correct, my statement that CFLR 'can't' be paired with storage is too
strong. I should have said that it isn't the most cost effective
technology for generating stored thermal energy.

Storage is largely a function of the temperature that CFLR and the
other technologies operate at. The way it works (for those who don't
know - apologies if this is common knowledge) is that there are two
tanks with molten salt - a 'cold' tank and a 'hot' tank. The cold
tank operates at high temperatures (>200C) and the hot tank can
operate at much higher temps (up to around 600C, as the current molten
salt technologies break down after this point).

Ausra's technology only operates at ~270C, versus others
(particularily Tower) which can operate at >400C. The efficiency of
the higher temp is that storing at a higher temp means you need less
storage facilities.

Hope this clarifies.

Justin

On Aug 21, 12:18 am, Manu Sharma <orangeh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Sandeep,
>
> The term "Fresnel" is used primarily for a lens but broadly, any optical
> device that concentrates light. So it can be applied to all concentrator
> designs you cited above (except solar tower).
>
> What Ausra has done, primarily is to develop a compact and least cost
> concentrator reflector technology called Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector or
> CLFR. This technology has been demonstrated and the first fully functional
> 5MW pilot plant went into online in October last year.
>
> No other company has deployed CLFR as it's a proprietary technology
> developed by Ausra. A 177 MW plant by the company is scheduled to come up
> next year.
>
> Thermal storage, as Ashok said, is also a part of their design (though not
> their claim to fame). There are several other innovations involved.
>
> Thanks,
> Manu
>
>
>
> On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 8:20 PM, Sandeep Shriya <s...@shriya.co.in> wrote:
> >  Yes, Fresnel is CLFR, being pursued by Ausra amongst others.
>
> > Even I wonder why no storage with Fresnel.
>

> > *Thanks,*
>
> > *Sandeep Shriya*
>
> > *Mobile: (+91) 9833005253*
>
> > P* Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.*
>

> > *From:* green...@googlegroups.com [mailto:green...@googlegroups.com]
> > *On Behalf Of *Manu Sharma
> > *Sent:* 20 August 2009 17:54
> > *To:* green...@googlegroups.com
> > *Cc:* justinryanr...@gmail.com
> > *Subject:* [Green-India] Re: CSP Technologies

>
> > Justin,
>
> > Thanks for this. A quick question though -- why do you say that Fresnel (I
> > believe, Sandeep is referring to CLFR technology developed by Ausra) can't
> > be paired with storage?
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Manu
>

[Manu Sharma]

On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 6:35 PM, Justin <justinr...@gmail.com> wrote:

[...] my statement that CFLR 'can't' be paired with storage is too

strong. I should have said that it isn't the most cost effective
technology for generating stored thermal energy.

Hi Justin,

I think it deserves a mention here that...

 

a) your statement that Ausra's technology isn't cost effective with storage is your personal opinion, and

b) it is based on the assumption that Ausra's energy storage medium is molten salt. 

I say that because there's no publicly available information to support either a) or b). 

a) Ausra not cost-effective with storage? 

In fact, in interviews founder David Mills has stated precisely the opposite - that energy storage actually lowers their energy generation costs. Refer to this article in MIT's Tech Review magazine that states: 

"Mills can say for certain is that Ausra's storage system will lower its power-generation costs."

b) Ausra uses molten salt for thermal storage

Actually, if you look up, Ausra has never publicly revealed the energy storage medium. Refer to the same article cited above, it says:

"Mills will not say what material his company's system will heat..."

Further, according to this post in Greentechmedia blog states: 

"Ausra has a proprietary Thermal Energy Storage method and the company is not talking about it. However, insiders tell me that storage material is being mined and shipped for Ausra on a huge scale."

and

"...at Intersolar in San Francisco, Ausra’s Chief Development Officer Robert Morgan mentioned that Ausra was working on a thermal storage technology that was not molten salt-based. He would not be specific about the storage medium."

Clearly, both a) and b) appear to be untrue. Unless you can site your sources, I'd assume that it was your personal opinion based on flawed assumptions.

The way it works is that there are two

tanks with molten salt - a 'cold' tank and a 'hot' tank

Again, it should be mentioned that molten salt is not the only thermal storage medium for CSP plants as the above implies. It happens to be the most popular one at present but there are several others in use and under development.

Thanks,

Manu

[Justin]

Hi Manu -

You are correct on all points no doubt - personal opinions are
embedded throughout my comments. However, these opinions are grounded
in my experience in the industry as a consultant, so they are actually
a combination of opinions and facts.

As you know, this industry is developing only now and quite quickly -
its difficult to sort through 'secret' press releases and insider
statements... I'm sure we are all doing our best!

On your two points, I would again refer the group to thermodynamic
principles: higher temperatures contain greater energy potential,
which implies you need less storage medium to provide similar backup
capacity, which implies lower costs. This is true for molten salts,
compressed gas receivers and any other technology in development (in
my opinion!).

To your point on new storage technologies - molten salt is the leading
technology today. Future technologies may be superior, but nearly all
in development are focused on higher heat tolerances (up to 1200C), as
outlined in the US Department of Energy multi-year planning document
found here:
http://solarpaces2008.sandia.gov/SolarPACES%20PLENARIES/1%20TUESDAY%20OPENING%20PLENARY/3%20Wilkins%20Overview%20of%20DOE%20CSP.pdf

Justin

On Aug 21, 8:55 am, Manu Sharma <orangeh...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 6:35 PM, Justin <justinryanr...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> [...] my statement that CFLR 'can't' be paired with storage is too
>
> strong. I should have said that it isn't the most cost effective
>
> > technology for generating stored thermal energy.
>
> Hi Justin,
>
> I think it deserves a mention here that...
>
> a) your statement that Ausra's technology isn't cost effective with storage
> is your personal opinion, and
>
> b) it is based on the assumption that Ausra's energy storage medium is
> molten salt.
>
> I say that because there's no publicly available information to support
> either a) or b).
>

> *a) Ausra not cost-effective with storage?*

>
> In fact, in interviews founder David Mills has stated precisely the opposite
> - that energy storage actually lowers their energy generation costs. Refer

> to this article<http://www.technologyreview.com/printer_friendly_article.aspx?id=19440>in

> MIT's Tech Review magazine that states:
>

> *"Mills can say for certain is that Ausra's storage system will lower its
> power-generation costs."*
>
> *b) Ausra uses molten salt for thermal storage*

>
> Actually, if you look up, Ausra has never publicly revealed the energy
> storage medium. Refer to the same article cited above, it says:
>

> *"Mills will not say what material his company's system will heat..."*
>
> Further, according to this
> post<http://www.greentechmedia.com/green-light/post/ausra-and-thermal-ener...>

[Manu Sharma]

On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 8:32 PM, Justin <justinr...@gmail.com> wrote:

higher temperatures contain greater energy potential, which implies you need less storage medium to provide similar backup capacity, which implies lower costs.  

Justin,

If you study Ausra's technology papers closely, the core innovation of their generation technology lies in recognition of fact that higher temperature does not necessarily mean lower costs. 

The industry has always prayed to the higher temperature God. But there's always a trade-off involved at some point where the gains you achieve in the end through the higher temperature route are outweighed by the costs incurred in expensive input materials consumed in the process including reflectors which must be built on site. 

Ausra shows there's a better way. By using a much simpler reflector technology, low-cost pre-fabricated materials and generating steam directly instead of heating thermal fluid, Ausra achieves dramatically lower costs per MW through the low-temperature route.  

This principle is true about their generation technology and while I'm speculating here, I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow it is found to be true about their storage technology as well. If I had to guess (and there are already indications of this) -- Ausra is probably using a low cost, low-efficiency storage medium. 

So while they may require much more of it, it doesn't matter since it's pretty cheap. As I said -- there's always a trade-off involved and higher temperature doesn't necessarily guarantee lower costs. 

Thanks,

Manu      

[Mohanram Subbarao]

Members Green India,

 

I am closely following the CSP Technology interlude which is quite interesting & relevant for the day. I am the CEO of a leading Power Company & have prior to this held positions of  being the Managing Director of two State Sector Power Utility Companies.

 

I have always had high expectations of Renewables emerging as a viable alternative to the polluting & exhuastible fossil fuel power generation modes and of the different RE possibilities,Solar Thermal route if properly developed will emerge as the best alternative to the conventionals.

 

Having said this,practical large scale exploitation of this almost infinite source,though comparatively low-tech ,has been slow and more specifically in India it has almost been a non-starter. For a sunshine country like ours where insolation levels are comparatively longer in duration during the year and of fairly high intensity in most parts and especially so in the vast expanses of Kutch, Thar & such arid region this seems ironical.

 

Major reasons seem to be-

 

1) Low R&D efforts and if at all more specifically non-focussed and limited to state-driven.

2) Linkages between various stages from lab-to-land such as R&D, Technology/Product /Functional Design development,Industry-scale deployment of such a Technology for mass manufacturing and continuous product development based on learning experiences are not clearly established.

3) Meaningful industrial endeavours seem to be waiting for proper market forces. In turn market forces are slow to gather strength owing to structural inadequacies in the energy market & RE is almost strangulated by a state subsidies-low volume-high cost triangular logjam.

 

In such a scenario,idea exchanges of the likes in GREEN INDIA look to be the the silver lining. At the same time members of  such groups must play a more active role in making this more action -oriented. We have to collaborate for making these ideas turn into real efforts in technology,prototype & product/component  development & consequently mature into viable manufacturing efforts even on a low scale & capacity to start with.

 

Can the members think & brainstorm on how to start & sustain such a process? Anyone in the wings for a headstart?

 

 Waiting in anticipation.

 

MOHANRAM

[Mohanram Subbarao]